Adjustable game call device

ABSTRACT

An adjustable game call device is provided. The bell has an inlet end and an outlet end to define a channel for the continuous passage of a column of air therethrough, the bell having an expanding cross-sectional area along at least a portion of the channel. The adjustable game call device has an adjustable caller assembly that includes a barrier member disposed within the bell and an adjustment member attached to the barrier member. The barrier member is movable in an axial direction within the bell by actuating the adjustment member to vary a distance of the barrier member from the bell inlet between two predetermined positions. Varying the distance of the barrier member from the bell inlet modifies the column of air traveling through the channel to change a characteristic of an animal sound created when the adjustable game call device is in use.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a game call device, and more particularly, to a game call device that is adjustable to vary the characteristics of the emitted sound.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Mechanical game calls have been developed for use by an operator or caller to attract game. Virtually all calls require skill and practice on the part of the caller to produce a sound made by a particular animal. Moreover, for a particular animal genus and species, such as a particular species of deer, for example, a wide range in pitch and spectral content are required to encompass age and sex variations in the sounds made by the animal. The sounds made by a fawn are different from those of a doe and both are different from those made by a buck.

Animals have the ability to distinguish small differences between real animal sounds and artificial sounds made by mechanical game calls. Because of the animal's ability to distinguish calls, it is desirable to be able to make fine adjustments to game calls to even better approximate an authentic sound.

These and other drawbacks are found in current mechanical game calls.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure an adjustable game call device is provided. The adjustable game call device includes a bell having an inlet end and an outlet end to define a channel for the continuous passage of a column of air therethrough, the bell having an expanding cross-sectional area along at least a portion of the channel. The adjustable game call device also has an adjustable caller assembly that includes a barrier member disposed within the bell and an adjustment member attached to the barrier member. The barrier member is movable in an axial direction within the bell by actuating the adjustment member to vary a distance of the barrier member from the bell inlet between two predetermined positions. Varying the distance of the barrier member from the bell inlet modifies the column of air traveling through the channel to change a characteristic of an animal sound created when the adjustable game call device is in use.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure an adjustable game call device is provided. The adjustable game call device includes a mouthpiece, an elongated tube, and a bell. The mouthpiece has an inlet end and an outlet end and is operable to create animal sounds. The elongated tube has a first opening at a first end and a second opening at a second end. The first end of the elongated tube is attached to the outlet end of the mouthpiece. The elongated tube forms part of a channel to carry animal sounds created by the mouthpiece. The bell has an inlet end and an outlet end. The inlet end of the bell is connected to the second end of the elongated tube such that the channel is expanded by the bell and allows for the continuous passage of air from the mouthpiece through the outlet end of the bell. The bell defines an expanding cross-sectional area within the channel. The adjustable game call device includes an adjustable caller assembly. The adjustable caller assembly includes a barrier member disposed within the bell and an adjustment member attached to the barrier member. The barrier member is movable in an axial direction within the bell by actuating the adjustment member to vary the distance of the barrier member from the bell inlet. Varying the distance of the barrier member from the bell inlet modifies the resonant chamber to change a tone and/or a volume of the animal sound created when the adjustable game call device is used.

One advantage of an embodiment of the present disclosure includes the use of a barrier member which allows for almost instantaneous adjustment of sound with ease under field conditions, without disassembly of any part of the caller and that is infinitely variable between two predetermined positions.

Another advantage of an embodiment of the present disclosure is to provide an easily operated game call having sound characteristic variation capabilities that is infinitely variable between two predetermined positions. This permits a user with the ability to alter call volume and tone to create the illusion of moving sound while the user remains stationary at the desired hunting location.

Yet another advantage of an embodiment of the present disclosure is to allow for manipulation of the call volume in an easy-to-use fashion.

Another advantage of an embodiment of the present disclosure is to increase the certainty that the call will produce an appropriate sound.

Other improvements and advantages will be apparent from the remainder of this application for patent.

Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the preferred embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an adjustable game call device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a cross section of the bell portion of the adjustable game call device of FIG. 1 showing the barrier member in an open position.

FIG. 3 is a cross section of the bell portion of the adjustable game call device of FIG. 1 showing the barrier member in a closed position.

Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to represent the same parts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Provided is an adjustable game call device for creating animal sounds from a flow of air through the adjustable game call device. While illustrated and described with respect to an elk call, it will be appreciated that the invention is not so limited and that the principles described can be employed with a game call device for other big game animals as well, such as deer, moose, sheep, and the like and embodiments of the device may also be used for calling small game.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, an exploded perspective view of an adjustable game call device 10 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment (FIG. 1) is shown, along with an enlarged cross-section view of the bell portion of the device 10 (FIGS. 2-3). As illustrated, the game call device 10 includes a mouthpiece 20, air conduit 30 and bell 50.

The air conduit 30, illustrated as an elongated tube with respect to the elk call of the exemplary embodiment described herein, includes a first opening 32 at a first end 33 and a second opening 34 at a second end 35. The bell 50 includes a bell inlet end 52 and a bell outlet end 54. The inlet end 52 of the bell 50 is connected to the second end 35 of the conduit 30 such that the adjustable game call device 10 defines a channel 40 for the continuous passage of a column of air 100 from the first end 33 of the conduit 30 through the outlet end 54 of the bell 50. At least a portion of the bell 50 defines an expanding cross-sectional area within the channel 40.

The bell 50 has an adjustable caller assembly 60 at least partially disposed therein. The adjustable caller assembly 60 includes a barrier member 66 disposed within the bell 50 and an adjustment member 62 attached to the barrier member 66. The barrier member 66 is movable in an axial direction within the bell 50 by actuating the adjustment member 62 to vary the distance of the barrier member 66 from the bell inlet 52. As discussed subsequently in more detail with respect to FIGS. 2 and 3, changing the distance of the barrier member 66 from the bell inlet 52 modifies the column of air traveling through the channel 40 to change a characteristic of an animal sound, such as tone and/or volume, created when the adjustable game call device 10 is used. Thus, exemplary embodiments result in a call that creates more realistic sounds that are more likely to deceive the animals being called, with an adjustability that further results in the illusion of a moving animal for added realism without the user of the call having to move. Exemplary embodiments also result in an ability to adjust the game call device so that the same call can be used to create sounds associated with female and young animals, in addition to typically deeper male sounds.

The conduit 30 is typically made from any flexible, durable plastic material, although the length of the conduit 30 may vary depending upon the application and may in some cases be rigid rather than flexible. As shown in FIG. 1, the conduit 30 can be made from corrugated plastic tubing that allows the user to point the bell 50 in different directions. In one embodiment, the corrugated tubing of the conduit 30 is collapsible for easier carrying and transport.

The diameter and length of the conduit 30 may vary depending on the type of animal for which the game call is designed. In embodiments in which the adjustable game call device 10 is an elk call, the length of the conduit 30 is in the range of about 18 inches to about 20 inches, with a diameter in the range of about 1 to 2 inches to mimic the size of a bull elk's windpipe for a more authentic sound. In one embodiment, however, the conduit 30 may omitted entirely, with the user blowing air directly into the bell 50.

As also shown in FIG. 1, a cover 38 may be provided to protect the conduit 30. The cover 38 can be made from any material and if desired, may be of a color and/or pattern such as camouflage. The adjustable game call device 10 may also include a strap 90 having attachment members 92 to cooperate with receiving members 94 to provide a lanyard for carrying the game call device 10.

Still referring to FIG. 1, in one embodiment, the adjustable game call device 10 includes a mouthpiece 20 having a mouthpiece inlet end 22 and a mouthpiece outlet end 24. The mouthpiece 20 is operable to create an animal sound and may contain a reed or diaphragm disposed therein to create a vibration that aids in simulating the animal sound.

The mouthpiece 20 attaches to the first opening 32 of the first end 33 of the conduit 30 via a lip 26 adapted to cooperate with the conduit 30. The mouthpiece 20 can snap onto or screw into the conduit 30 and can be interchangeable with other mouthpiece configurations. A cap 80 may be provided to cover the mouthpiece 20 while the adjustable game call device 10 is not being used or is being transported.

In an alternative embodiment, no mouthpiece 20 is provided and the user can blow directly into the first opening 32 of the first end 33 of the conduit 30 to create the animal sound using the adjustable game call device 10, or alternatively, directly into the inlet end 52 of the bell 50. This may be useful in embodiments in which the user employs a separate reed or diaphragm type device that is manipulated within the user's mouth to separately impart a particular vibration to the column of air prior to its passage through the game call device 10.

The inlet end 52 of the bell 50 is adapted to receive the second end 35 of the conduit 30. The bell 50 has a first diameter at the inlet end 52 and a second diameter at the outlet end 54, the second diameter being greater than the first diameter. As shown in FIG. 1, the bell may be constructed of multiple pieces, including a first half 51 and a second half 53 joined by fasteners, such as screws 57 and nuts 58. In an alternative embodiment, the bell 50 is constructed as a single piece. The bell 50 may be constructed of any suitable material, typically a rigid plastic material such as ABS suitable for injection molding.

The bell 50 defines an expanding cross-sectional area of the channel 40 (see FIGS. 2 and 3), although the expansion needn't be continuous along the entire length of the bell 50. In particular, a portion of the bell may be substantially linear at the inlet end 52 for each in joining to the conduit 30. Generally, however, the bell 50 flares outward in a curved fashion and according to one exemplary embodiment, a portion of the bell 50 flares according to an exponential curve. This feature can increase acoustic output and extend frequency range to impart the adjustable game call device 10 with an enhanced acoustical quality.

The bell 50 may include a screen 70 adjacent the bell outlet end 54. The screen 70 acts as a diffuser and may further enhance the quality of the sound from the adjustable game call device 10. The presence of a screen 70 to act as a sound diffuser creates a minimum fixed back pressure and further acts to keep debris out of bell 50. The screen 70 may be flexible, such as one made of cloth, or may be constructed of a more rigid material. In either case, the screen 70 includes perforations 72 to more easily allow the flow of air therethrough. The screen 70 may also include a hole 74 for receiving a portion of the adjustment member 62.

Turning to FIGS. 2 and 3, the adjustable caller assembly 60 includes the barrier member 66, illustrated as a disk, disposed within the bell 50 and the adjustment member 62 attached to the barrier member 66. The major surface of the disk is perpendicular to the direction of air flow through the channel 40 such that the barrier member provides a surface within the channel 40 that is struck by the column of air 100 flowing therethrough. The barrier member 66 is movable in an axial direction within the bell 50 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) by actuating the adjustment member 62 to vary a distance 102 of the barrier member 66 from the bell inlet 52 between two predetermined positions, a home or closed position (FIG. 3) and an extended or open position (FIG. 2) that modifies the resonant chamber to vary tone and/or volume.

The adjustment member 62 may be any device that allows the barrier member 66 to be actuated in a linear fashion along the bell axis within the bell 50. In one embodiment, as illustrated in the figures, the adjustment member 62 is a ball screw. The ball screw is rotatably situated on a receiver 56 molded or otherwise formed in the bell 50. Other adjustment members 62 may include a slide or a linear actuator, for example. In the illustrated embodiment in which the adjustment member 62 is a ball screw, a knob 64 external to the screen 70 is provided. When a user turns the knob 64, the ball screw rotates on the receiver 56 causing the barrier member 66 to move axially within the bell 50, with the direction of movement dependent on the direction in which the knob 64 is turned.

The barrier member 66 has a fixed diameter; as a result, its proximity to the bell inlet 52 combined with the expanding diameter of the bell 50 relates to the available area through which air can flow unimpeded and the volume of the resonant chamber. Sound quality, including, tone and volume, is refined and modified as a result of the adjustment of the barrier member 66 relative to the inlet end 52 of the bell 50 and the outlet end 54 of the bell 50.

In the illustrated embodiment, the closed position is when the barrier member 66 (or a surrounding cushion 68) is in contact with the inner wall of the bell 50, typically adjacent the inlet end 52, as shown in FIG. 3. However, the contact is preferably not so tight as to prevent any air from escaping around the barrier member 66. In contrast, as shown in FIG. 2, the fully open position of the barrier member 66 is shown, which may be established by a stop on the adjustment member 62, such as a point at which the threads of the ball screw cease.

Preferably, the barrier member 66 is infinitely adjustable between the closed and open positions of the barrier member 66, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, which can be obtained by using the adjustment member 62. It will be appreciated, however, that in some embodiments the adjustable caller assembly 60 may be arranged such that actuating the adjustment member 62 causes the barrier member 66 to be adjusted by axial movement in discrete, finite steps. It will further be appreciated that the points selected to define the open and closed positions, as well as the total length over which the barrier member 66 can travel may vary depending on a number of factors, including the particular type of animal for which the game call is designed to attract.

For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the barrier member 66 is located at a distance 102 a from the inlet end 52 of the bell 50. The distance 102 a between by the barrier member 66 from the inlet end 52 reduces the backpressure experienced by the column of air 100 striking the barrier member 66 as a result of the open space between it and the walls of the bell 50 at the point the air 100 impacts and flows around the barrier member 66.

As shown in FIG. 3, the barrier member 66 is located at a second distance 102 b in the closed position that is nearer the inlet end 52 of the bell 50 and the adjacent second end 35 of the conduit 30. The second distance 102 b of the barrier member 66 from the inlet end 52 of the bell 50 in conjunction with the flare of the bell means that in the closed position there is less room for the column of air 100 to flow around the barrier member 66 because of its closer proximity to the walls of the bell 50, thereby increasing the back pressure and changing the tone of the adjustable game call device 10.

In some cases, adjusting the barrier member 66 to or near the closed position can sufficiently modify the tone to approximate a female or youth, while male sounds are formed when the barrier member is at or near the open position. Furthermore, as the barrier member 66 is adjusted from closed to open or vice versa, a change in volume can be achieved to create the perception of moving game.

In some embodiments, the adjustable caller assembly 60 may further include a cushion 68, such as an o-ring, surrounding the barrier member 66 to dampen the vibration of the bell 50 when the cushion 68 is in contact therewith.

The foregoing adjustable caller assembly 60 in conjunction with the bell 50 provides an adjustable game call device 10 with an ability to produce highly authentic-sounding tones, volume, and resonance similar to the natural sounds of game animals, such as elk.

While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An adjustable game call device comprising: a bell having an inlet end and an outlet end to define a channel for the continuous passage of a column of air therethrough, the bell having an expanding cross-sectional area along at least a portion of the channel; and an adjustable caller assembly, wherein the adjustable caller assembly includes a barrier member disposed within the bell and an adjustment member attached to the barrier member, the barrier member movable in an axial direction within the bell by actuating the adjustment member to vary a distance of the barrier member from the bell inlet between two predetermined positions, wherein varying the distance of the barrier member from the bell inlet modifies the column of air traveling through the channel to change a characteristic of an animal sound created when the adjustable game call device is in use.
 2. The adjustable game call device of claim 1, wherein the adjustable caller assembly further comprises a cushion surrounding the barrier member.
 3. The adjustable game call device of claim 1, wherein the barrier member is infinitely adjustable between the two predetermined positions.
 4. The adjustable game call device of claim 1, further comprising a conduit having a first opening at a first end and a second opening at a second end, the second end of the conduit connected to the inlet end of the bell.
 5. The adjustable game call device of claim 4, further comprising a mouthpiece having an inlet end and an outlet end, the outlet end of the mouthpiece connected to the first end of the conduit.
 6. The adjustable game call device of claim 5, wherein the mouthpiece is operable to create the animal sound.
 7. The adjustable game call device of claim 1, wherein the bell further includes a diffuser adjacent the outlet end.
 8. The adjustable game call device of claim 1, wherein the adjustment member is a ball screw.
 9. The adjustable game call device of claim 1, wherein the bell has a first diameter and a second diameter, wherein the second diameter is greater than the first diameter.
 10. The adjustable game call device of claim 1, wherein the bell expands outwardly according to an exponential curve.
 11. The adjustable game call device of claim 1, wherein the bell includes a receiver supporting the adjustable caller assembly.
 12. The adjustable game call device of claim 1 wherein the device is an elk call.
 13. An adjustable game call device comprising: a mouthpiece having an inlet end and an outlet end; an elongated tube having a first opening at a first end and a second opening at a second end, the first end of the elongated tube attached to the outlet end of the mouthpiece, the elongated tube forming part of a channel for the flow of air therethrough; a bell having an inlet end and an outlet end, the inlet end connected to the second end of the elongated tube to allow for the continuous passage of air from the mouthpiece through the outlet end of the bell, the bell defining an expanding cross-sectional area within the channel; and an adjustable caller assembly, wherein the adjustable caller assembly includes a barrier member disposed within the bell and an adjustment member attached to the barrier member, the barrier member movable in an axial direction within the bell by actuating the adjustment member to vary the distance of the barrier member from the bell inlet between two predetermined positions, wherein varying the distance of the barrier member from the bell inlet modifies the air traveling through the channel to change at least one of a tone or volume of an animal sound formed by the flow of air though the device.
 14. The adjustable game call device of claim 13, wherein the barrier member is infinitely variable between the two predetermined positions.
 15. The adjustable game call device of claim 13, wherein the mute assembly further comprises a cushion surrounding the barrier member.
 16. The adjustable game call device of claim 15, wherein the closed position is defined at a point in which the cushion is in contact with the bell.
 17. The adjustable game call device of claim 13, wherein the bell further includes a diffuser adjacent the outlet end of the bell.
 18. The adjustable game call device of claim 17, wherein the diffuser is rigid and perforated.
 19. The adjustable game call device of claim 18, wherein a portion of the adjustment member extends through the diffuser, the adjustment member actuated by a knob attached thereto and positioned on an external side of the diffuser.
 20. The adjustable game call device of claim 13, wherein the device is an elk call and the elongated tube is of a length and diameter that approximates a bull elk windpipe. 